Solitude by the sea

[Tavia123]

Hi all,

I have two children and I’m a carer for my parents who both have dementia. I’m stressed and exhausted.

For my 40th DH has offered to take me away somewhere. We’ll get carers in for my parents and the in laws will look after DC.

Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I had a moment to myself and all I want is to go somewhere where I can switch off and be alone.

We can’t go far as I wouldn’t want to leave my parents and DC for too long. Probably 3 nights.

In my mind, I’m picturing a cabin perched on the edge of a lake surrounded by mountains and trees in Norway somewhere. Or a lone house on a remote Scottish island by the sea. The kind of place where an eccentric writer might disappear to for months to overcome writer’s block and create a masterpiece.

In reality, it would ideally be somewhere with wifi to keep DH entertained so he leaves me in peace while I curl up with a book 😂.

The main criteria is somewhere with scenic views from the windows and somewhere I can step outside for walks without ever having to see another soul.

Does a place like this exist (reachable from Manchester)? I’ve spent ages trawling through Airbnb but just get cabins with hot tubs in a holiday park (I’m exaggerating but not far off) and don’t know where else to look. We don’t mind a longish drive (within 8 hours say).

Thanks in advance!

This looks lovely. https://kirkatkildonan.com/

I know Kildonan a bit from many, many trips to Arran. It's a beautiful spot and very remote. There is a hotel in the village with a restaurant open to non-residents. Not sure whether there's a shop. If I were going there myself and had a car (essential, really, although you can get there by bus) I would stock up either on the mainland or at the Co-op in Brodick which is very close to the ferry terminal and then I'd just hole up down there watching the sea and going for strolls on the beach. If you wanted to go further afield, the west coast of Arran is spectacular and you could visit the Machrie Standing Stones or go up to Lochranza and wander round the ruined castle and/or visit the Distillery, which has a decent restaurant. Or drive up to Whiting Bay and do the Glenashdale Falls walk, which is one of my favourites. There's Brodick Castle (National Trust for Scotland) too, which has lovely grounds and fabulous views. But for a short break where you just want a rest Kildonan itself is probably enough.

You'd need to book the ferry both ways.

(Not sure why I've quoted the OP! Apols.)

I second that, to really disconnect from life’s stresses the Scottish islands can’t be beaten. I’ve been to Mull, Coll and Barra. On many of them there’s no pollution, no advertising, no ugly constructions and none of the general unpleasantness of modern life. But it can be a mission to get there. Pembrokeshire in south wales is magical , I have stayed in Newport and loved it, found a cottage through https://www.westwalesholidaycottages.co.uk/?gadsource=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvb-zBhCmARIsAAfUI2tgMxpy_y6wti2QhSOZ7VDIAKBH6K9g5AUt6Nk8eJ0NM7jXkqoRs8IaAlA4EALw_wcB
I hoe you have a wonderful and well earnt break.

I love it here.

Canopy and Stars have some remote feeling locations. Here’s a few by lakes, I love the look of the Cornish one.

Hope you have a lovely break, wherever you OP x

https://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/find-your-wild/inspiration/cabins/our-top-lakeside-cabins-for-relaxing-by-the-water/

https://www.creagnahiolaire.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaafh_NRJzCnLrUe1w8IdIJ3U2kq5FWetdKWkpQveXm4m_kGm6eMSEp9MZA_aem__wJFMLwmOfV0SNDEyc-wxQ

Calgary on Mull is wonderful. Small village and some camper vans but looking west into the sea as the sun sets is magical. Also staying on Iona, feels very special to walk round when the last ferry of the evening has gone. Did both together as part of long post stressful work period after Covid and felt the cares of the world slide off my shoulders.

Or if you don’t want self catering…..

https://www.thetorridon.com/

Sorry to derail the thread OP, both your parents have dementia and you’re only 40? My god I’m so sorry. How old are they both?

Or really off grid…enjoy. Sounds like you need and deserve it ❤️

https://www.knoydarthide.co.uk/

Oh this is my fantasy too. Just a cozy cottage near the sea full of books (and nice food and wine). I once saw this little cottage at the foot of a cliff in a harbour. The sort of place that gets splashed by the waves in a storm. If I had any money I would buy it and keep it just for me to escape to.

Hope you find something lovely and are able to switch off. I am earmarking some of these suggestions for myself.

I mean you are a snows throw from the lake district. there are plenty of lovely cottages up there with scenic views. especially by the North lakes.

I normally use cottages.com or just search on Google - not air bnb.

Mull!

I'd stay here https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/19384282?adults=1&children=0&infants=0&check_in=2024-08-31&check_out=2024-09-07&source_impression_id=p3_1718734441_P3OWQSC5Ftu-yTsW&previous_page_section_name=1000

Following for inspiration

[[https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/The-Inner-Hebrides-Balmacara/Ferry-Cottage-Balmacara-1060404.html?rfx=3&pcrid=698234220690&pkw=&pmt=&slid=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyVTHhJBo07vmchhw6un1ANdm26MLKl0v1b-7ery9C-D5amJ3zJA-swaAsNVEALw_wcB

I'd have a look at Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland which is accessible from Manchester. It's quite underpopulated. Lovely beaches. Also part of the dark skies area so you can watch the stars.

Hope you have a lovely trip.

www.unique-cottages.co.uk/cottages/south/dumfries-galloway

www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/dumfries-galloway

Not sure because I haven't been there for years, but the Mull of Kintyre peninsula is beautiful and very unspoilt. The roads are very narrow so I think it's off the tourist route - no coaches can get down them! As I say, things might have changed, but at least there's no ferry involved.

The boat house on Loch Awe? Slightly more accessible than on an island but still remote:

https://www.unique-cottages.co.uk/cottages/west-coast/argyll-isles/gf4-loch-awe-boathouse

Northumberland coast?

Some great suggestions. If you're only away for 3 nights don't go too far as you'll spend more time travelling than at your bolthole!

This cabin in north Pembrokeshire is wonderful - endless lovely places to walk straight from the door, & about 2 miles from the sea.

If you don’t want to go too far from Manchester, how about the northern part of the Lancashire coast e.g. near Arnside or Silverdale.

I was also coming on to say Anglesey but I see someone has beaten me to it. It’s so quiet, isolated and relatively unpopular in UK terms but also very reachable from Manchester. Lots of the Scottish isles and west coast is beautiful but travel time will mean less relaxing time for you.

You could try the ‘tiny home’ filter on Airbnb, that sometimes turns up the good ones, but you’re right, there is a load of dross in that site now and much of it is stupid expensive and/ or actually big agencies flogging crap overpriced sheds.

https://kintrafarm-islay.co.uk/tr%C3%A0igh-cottage

Having carped about holiday companies this place looks perfectly sited but is being marketed by a company: https://www.airbnb.com/slink/mKYVbB5D

Anglesey is a decent size, with a small population and smallish tourist reach as it takes a long time to reach from lots of the UK. Llyn peninsula is also lovely but slightly more popular with your well to do types. The area round Harlech is lovely and not that popular for access reasons.